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Descending Palatine Artery

arteria palatina descendens

The descending palatine artery arises from the maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa and descends through the greater palatine canal to emerge at the greater palatine foramen, distributing as the greater palatine artery (to the hard palate mucosa) and the lesser palatine arteries (to the soft palate and tonsil). It is the dominant blood supply to the hard palate and contributes to the palatal mucoperiosteal flap blood supply for anterior palatoplasty.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The descending palatine artery is the primary blood supply for palatal flaps in cleft palate repair: the island palatal flap based on the greater palatine artery bundle (artery, vein, and nerve emerging from the greater palatine foramen) is raised for Wardill-Kilner palatoplasty. The artery runs in the palate submucosally from the greater palatine foramen anteriorly, and knowledge of its course prevents inadvertent vessel injury during palatal surgery and prevents vascular compromise of palatal mucoperiosteal flaps.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Greater Palatine Artery Preservation in Palatal Flap Surgery

The greater palatine artery emerging from the greater palatine foramen provides the sole blood supply to the posterior-based palatal mucoperiosteal flap in cleft palate repair; the artery is identified by its foramen position (1 cm medial to the second molar) and the flap is elevated anteriorly from this pedicle to allow the posterior palate to be transposed for palatal closure without tension.